Frank Austen's Family
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Francis William Austen [1] continued.
While in command of the 'Peterel' Capt. Austen, among numerous other services which exposed him to a constant fire from the enemy's batteries, effected the capture and destruction of upwards of forty vessels of various descriptions; and, on June 19th 1799, participated in Lord Keith's capture of a French squad under Rear-Admiral Perrée.
On March 21st 1800 he inexpressibly signalised himself in an encounter of Marseilles with three French national vessels, two of which (the one of 14, the other of 6 guns) he drove on the rocks – and succeeded although close in shore and within point-blank shot of the batteries, in capturing the third, 'La Ligurienne', a brig of 16 guns and 104 men; after a running fight of an hour and a half, the whole being accomplished without the loss of a man to the 'Peterel' – 30 of whose crew, with the First Lieutenant and gunner, were at the time absent in prizes.
At the blockade of Genoa in the May following, Capt. Austen displayed his wonted energy, and for the zeal he evinced in resolutely maintaining for a considerable period a position within less than three miles of the Mole head, received the thanks of Lord Keith.
The 'Peterel' shortly afterwards joined Sir Sidney Smith's squadron on the coast of Egypt, and, on August 13th following, had the good fortune to ...
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